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Builders Association of India calls for cement regulatory body 10 October 2016
India: The Builders Association of India has asked the government to create a Cement Regulatory Authority to control the price of cement and prevent cartel activity in the sector. Avinash M Patil, national president of the BAI, told the Hindu newspaper that ‘most’ contracts in the construction industry have no price escalation clauses. Subsequently, unexpected jumps in the price of cement slow down project times. A delegation of the BAI is set to meet the prime minister to discuss the issue.
Vietnamese ministry to inspect cement plants for pollution 10 October 2016
Vietnam: The Ministries of Industry and Trade and Natural Resources and Environment have started inspecting cement and thermal power plants following the discovery of various violations of environmental regulations at certain companies. A joint delegation from the two ministries will look into the production and waste treatment facilities of the factories, according to the Viet Nam News newspaper.
Trần Tuấn Anh, Minister of Industry and Trade, has also ordered companies regulated by his ministry to provide information on environmental protection to the media. Anh has made it mandatory for contractors and investors to complete environmental protection projects in accordance with the commitments stated in their environmental impact assessments released before operation starts. Producers are supposed to publicise information on their trials so that local authorities and residents can supervise them.
Foreign workers charged at Siam Cement-CITIC Heavy Industries plant project in Myanmar 10 October 2016
Myanmar: Five foreign workers at Mawlamyine Cement, a cement plant being built by Siam Cement and CITIC Heavy Industries, have been charged for violating visa regulations. The workers failed to report the initial arrival of 11 of their colleagues’ to the local immigration authorities, according to the Myanmar Times. Four Chinese and one Thai citizen have been charged with violating three sections of the Registration of Foreigners Rules of 1948 which require the registration of foreigners with relevant immigration officials within 24 hours of arrival at a hotel.
Siam Cement and CITIC Heavy Industries signed a deal in 2013 to build a 5000t/day plant for US$197m. The plant is expected to become operational later in 2016.
Indonesian government to tackle cement industry expansion 10 October 2016
Indonesia: Industry Minister Airlangga Hartarto has said that the government is preparing regulations to restrict new cement plant permits being issued in a bid to maintain stable cement prices. The ministry’s director general for chemicals, textile and miscellaneous industry, Achmad Sigit Dwiwahjono, has also confirmed the proposed regulation, according to the Jakarta Post. Airlangga added that his ministry has also been considering other measures to tackle cement oversupply.
The Indonesian Cement Association (ASI) has lobbied the government to take action on oversupply. Cement production capacity has nearly doubled from 59.3Mt/yr in 2012 to 92.7Mt/yr in 2016. However, demand is projected to only reach 65Mt in 2016, leaving a production oversupply of 27.7Mt.
LafargeHolcim to sell stake in Cemento Polpaico for US$225m 10 October 2016
Chile: LafargeHolcim has signed an agreement with Inversiones Caburga, part of the Hurtado Vicuña Group, to sell its 54.3% stake in Cemento Polpaico for US$225m. The transaction will be carried out by a public tender offer by Inversiones Caburga to all shareholders of Cemento Polpaico.
Cemento Polpaico operates one integrated plant and two grinding plants with an annual cement capacity of 2.3Mt/yr. The company is also a leading ready-mix concrete producer operating 25 plants and produces aggregates. The launch of the public tender offer is subject to the approval of the Chilean competition authorities, which is expected for the first half of 2017. Following the successful completion LafargeHolcim would exit Chile completely.